Located in the historic Banque d’Hochelaga building, the Art Gallery of St. Albert (formerly Profiles Public Art Gallery), features contemporary and community exhibitions and a variety of public programs. The Gallery’s award-winning, curriculum-based educational programs offer hands-on opportunities for thousands of children, youth and adults throughout the year.
The Art Gallery of St. Albert’s mandate is to provide enriching educational experiences that celebrate visual culture and artistic achievement through research, exhibition and interpretation. Exhibitions celebrate diversity, providing vision, inspiration and education for the community.
Art Gallery of St. Albert and the Musée Héritage Museum are managed by the parent organization, Arts and Heritage St. Albert. Arts and Heritage is a non-profit, registered Canadian charitable organization, (Charitable number 86854331 RR0001). We would be happy to issue a charitable tax receipt for any donation made to our organization.
Making Art Gallery of St. Albert Universally Accessible
Arts and Heritage presented plans to St. Albert City Council earlier this year to make Art Gallery of St. Albert universally accessible. The Gallery is current housed in the Banque d’Hochelaga building, a Municipal Historic Resource, which was built in 1920. The building has heritage value as the only surviving commercial building in downtown St. Albert, though it remains the only facility operated by Arts and Heritage that is not accessible in a wheelchair. The plans to make the building accessible include an addition off the back of the building (towards the parking lot), moving the entrance to St. Anne Street to accommodate the addition of a ramp, new program space (currently being filled by the Satellite Studio), wheelchair accessible washrooms and more. The proposed new addition would make the gallery a multi-use, multi-function and multi-generational facility.
FAQ about the Art Gallery Expansion Project:
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Proposed addition to make Art Gallery of St. Albert universally accessible
The design for an expanded Art Gallery of St. Albert will allow for ‘barrier-free’ access to the facility. This is the only remaining municipally owned facility managed by the Arts and Heritage Foundation which is not accessible to wheelchairs.
- The proposal presented not only takes into account the request from the City to develop detailed information regarding making the Gallery ‘barrier-free’, it is also a longer term solution and a ‘bolder’ vision.
- This project reflects the ‘values’ of St. Albert in that it maintains our commitment to our history while at the same time connecting to the ‘modern’ energy of St. Albert. The new Gallery will be an important ‘gathering place’ and so much more. It will attract ‘many’ constituents and contribute to a stronger ‘public urban life’.
- This ‘multi-use’, ‘multi-function’, ‘multi-generational’ facility will support the recommendations of the Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan by being not only a ‘strategic investment’ but in many respects a ‘game changer’ – a catalyst for not only growth in our downtown but also as an attraction to private development.
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View of the proposed addition to Art Gallery of St. Albert from St. Anne
The Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan, approved in August of 2010, speaks about Strategic Capital Projects (p.78). The DARP highlights a number of specific projects that should be implemented by the City of St. Albert over the lifespan of the plan. “It is recommended that some of these projects be initiated in the short term to act as catalysts for growth and private development in the downtown. These projects can be designed and built independently or bundled in groups for greater impact or effectiveness. Civic, Cultural and Community Buildings 12. Expansion of the Profiles Art Gallery.”
- The project supports City Council’s stated objectives for 2012 in a number of ways. The goal for Economic Development is supported by enhancing downtown and providing an attraction to tourists and by creating a venue for enhanced special events. The goal of Community Development is met through increased support for Arts, Culture and Heritage.
- We know that St. Albert is not only recognized as a great place to raise a family but also so much more. Our Gallery continues to serve the artists of the region and province well but it also has broad appeal through its programs and exhibits as each year it continues to serve tens of thousands of community members of all ages.
The total cost of the expansion and renovation is $4.6 million. Total contribution from the City (including $533,000 already committed in the 10-year capital budget) would be $1,033,000. The project is seeking $500,000 in ‘new money’ from the City. The remaining costs will be supported by Arts and Heritage seeking grant monies from the Federal Canada Cultural Spaces Fund and from the Province of Alberta’s Community Facilities Enhancement Program. The project will also be supported by existing Capital and operating Funds already committed by the City and through private and corporate fundraising campaigns undertaken by Arts and Heritage.
If you like the concept, or would like to see the gallery become universally accessible, we encourage you to let City Council know by calling 780-459-1500 or emailing stalbert@st-albert.net.
Art Gallery of St. Albert’s logo
The Gallery’s logo pays tribute to the community, with three contributing artists. Byron McBride designed the first ‘A’ and is the artist behind Beyond the Frame, the Art Gallery of St. Albert’s travelling children’s exhibition. Angela Grootelaar, a featured artist in the AGSA’s Art Rental and Sales program, follows with her signature letter ‘G’. Amy Loewan, an Edmonton artist, completes the new logo with her brush-stroked letters ‘S’ and ‘A’. All three artists have also exhibited art in Gallery exhibitions and donated artworks to annual art auctions.
The pantone of green in the logo pays homage to the City of St. Albert’s new brand, as the City of St. Albert is our largest funder. Complimenting the green is the charcoal gray, which reflects the contemporary look the gallery represents. The logo finishes with a font that is reflected in the parent organization, Arts and Heritage St. Albert’s logo.
Be sure to stop by the Gallery and explore the new look. For further details about the history behind the new AGSA logo, please contact 780-460-4310.
